Comparative Analysis Of Chinese (HK) Culture With Japanese Culture
"Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong”. It means culture is all around in daily life. Therefore, the essay below, will mentioned about the similarities in food and etiquette aspect followed by the differences in festival celebration and funeral style in Japanese and Chinese (HK).
Food culture of Chinese and Japanese is one of the attractions for tourist to visit Japan and Hong Kong, their characteristics is similar as well. Unlike the west, a long history of having rice and noodle as their main course have been recorded in both food culture. In these two cuisines, rice can be seen at all three meals, people agreed that they need rice to boost energy for the heavy workload every day. Besides, the table manner of them is also alike, for instance, the chopstick must not put inside or on the bowl after enjoyed the meal, which is a common rule in certain. It is believed that people education can be known from a dinner because table manner carried out strictly in Chinese and Japanese family. Having the “right” food by seasons is as important as following the table manner from the ancient time, it makes the cuisines special and release the original taste of the food. This theory is inherited from the ancestors, believed that it benefits our health if seasonal produce has been emphasized in people diet. Hence, similarities of both cultures exist as tradition and passing to the next generation by the old ones.
Chinese and Japanese are famous about etiquette, many details in life represent certain meaning and value to them. Both Japanese and Chinese used not to say “No” in their culture, rejection may lead to disrespect or make someone losing prestige, so they try not to turn down others obviously. They may just rely on facial expression or short respond to show their discontent, in particular when they are frowning. In addition, presents got a special place in their culture. They think visitors should bring along presents with them when they are invited to someone house as guests. The value, types and even the packing of the present received by either Chinese or Japanese, will be considered as for how much respect and how serious of the relationship has been taken by the sender. As the result, the seriousness of both cultures is same on the aspect of etiquette. Although Japan and Hong Kong are at the same region, significant differences on festival celebration. Many Japanese festival still keep their traditions by celebrating around the temple and held the historical ceremony (Matsuri). Chichibu festival held large scale parade every year with floats and decorative big umbrella parade at the Chichibu Shrine. People dance and perform Kagura during the parade as a tradition.
However, in Hong Kong, since land is limited, and the attention of traditional festival declined, celebrations either held at home with family only or just omit it. During Yulan festival, Hong Kong people used to burn paper (also call as hell bank note) and bring food as a feast for ancestors and those homeless ghosts to rest in peace. In fact, these habitudes are vanishing because the reliance of superstition declined, customs have been simplified. From the evidence above, the differing celebration style of festival between Japanese and Chinese (HK) culture can be disambiguate.
Nevertheless, another variation among these two cultures is funeral culture, neither people’s attitude nor the form is the same. In Chinese perception, cremation may come to offence to the deceased and their full body should be kept. They believed the more obligation you prepare, the more blessing for the dead and also for their descendants. Moreover, sadness should be shown as well, laughter is kind of disrespect. To Japanese, funeral is a time to meet all the family members. First, they applied cremation mostly and will pick the ash and bones of the body with the whole family by chopsticks into the urn, family gathering with pleasure will also be held after all, for memorizing the good old days. Instead of crying or unwilling to let go, they think showing happiness will be the best way to say goodbye. Facing the death, Japanese and Chinese (HK) culture have shown a strong contrast on attitude and the way of burial. In conclusion, culture can tell history of the ethnics, also the traditions.
Many similarities of food and etiquette culture may come from the old times, which is kind of reflection of the people’s education and wisdom. People’s thought about passing away or in what extent they concern about festival tradition can be seen from the funeral and festival celebration as well. Throughout the comparison, the Japanese and Chinese (HK) culture are valuable to understanding more as two main culture on the world undoubtedly.
